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! Annie from Massachusetts, 



AMERICAN MELODRAMA. 



IN 



Three Acts and Two Tableaux, 



HARRY MEREDITH 



stater Smithy 









OR 



Annie from Massachusetts, 

AN 

AMERICAN MELODRAMA, 

IN 

Three Acts and Two Tableaux, 

BY 

HARRY MEREDITH. 



//■■(aX^Oruf ' 



Published by 
T. SLATER S:\IITH, 

AT THE OFFICE OF 

"The Courier," 

No. 1107 Spring Garden Street. 

Philadelphia. 



'p 



Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1882, bj- 

HARRY MEREDITH & T. SLATER SMITH, 
in the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. 



CH.IRACTERS. 



Al McClellakd. ) 

> Twin Brother 
Tom McClelland. ) 

Theopolis Robbtns, M. D. 

Joseph Kebook, Alias Red Bullet. 

Peter Particular Prose. 

B.arxey Holt. 

Parson Jim Scripture. 

Coriander Lucretia Smalley. 

Annie Smalley. 

Neely Barrett. 

Silver Bud. 



RANCH NO. 10. 



A C T I . 

Scene I. — Exterior of Bunch — Enter Bud, goes to feed birds. En- 
ter Coriander, she takes dotcn clothes from line and goes into house. 
Enter Neely, goes to ?t'«.s7i tub, wrings out clothes, hangs them on 
line. Annie comes on, picks floit'er. All exit as soon as business is 
over. Cow-boy enters and goes into Banch, one leaves Banch and 
exits. Music through this until Kebook is on 
Joe, (calling in house) 

Joe. I say, bring a me a pail of water for my a pony. 

Neely. [at door^ So that's you Mr. Red Bullet is it? 
What do you want, a rope wid a noose in the end of it. 

Joe. Bring a me a pail of water for my a pony. 

Neely. A pail of water is it well, well; there's a bucket in 
the house and water in the pump, help yourselfor gowidoutit. 

Joe. Hiss! hiss! hiss! you no make a much a gab Miss Irish, 
bring a water for dat a pony and whiskey for de master. 

Neely. Water for both I should suggest, let the horse drink 
first and then the master dip his ugly head in the pail. 

Joe. Hiss, hiss. 

Neely. Hiss away ye yellow snake. 

Joe. Snake bite. 

Neely, Bah ! 

Enter Coriander. 

CoRi. What is all this fight about ? 

Neely. I was only telling Red Bullet there, how much he 
looks like a basket of toads. 

Joe. I want a ray pony water. 

CoRi. Go and get the water for the poor beast. 

Neely. So I will ma-am, for your sake and the pony's, long 
life to him. [she calls] Joe ! Joe ! hiss ! hiss ! hiss ! [Exit. 

Joe. I think a my money just as a good as anoders. " 



6 Ranch No. 10. [Act I. 

CoRi. That' s a matter of opinion. See here Mr. Red Bullet, 
Joe Kebook, I don't care ten foot of prairie land whether you'r 
as rich as men say you are, or as poor as little Silver Bud in the 
kitchen thar, it aint a man's roll of notes that makes him a king- 
out here on the prairie, no sir I it's his inards, and if you have 
nothing better to recommend you to your fellow critters than 
your bank account down in Cheyene, the best thing you kin do 
in future is to pass right by Coriander L. Smalley and Ranch 
No. 10. [Exit. 

Joe. [Seates himself.'] I don't get much a like here, men and 
woman a frown and a push, and make a swear at me; I wish I 
a dared to do it, there would be one more a grave in dat a 
prairie before Christmas. But if I should a kill dat Al McClel- 
land even in fair fight, they would a hang a me to a telegraph 
pole before I could take my coat off. Hiss ! hiss ! [ly^] But Sil- 
ver Bud, if I can a get her, oh, oh, good, good, dat a great news 
I love dat a gal dat a red squaw, if I can a get her, oh, dat a 
great news ; but if I can't a get her— I dare not think of dat; 
[Enter Silver Bud idth pail] See I see ! stop a moment Bud, I've 
got a news, good a news, something from de fort for you, wait 
until I drink a my pony. 

Bud. [Going] Me go now. Miss Cori wait. 

Joe. [Takes her down] Let her wait, she made me wait a long- 
enough; why can't you be a good a girl to me. Bud? See I have 
a brought you something- to put in your little ears; gold hoops 
wid a spark in it. 

Bud. No Joe, me no want spark, me afraid. 

Joe. Come, a little squaw. [He .seizes her and kisses her pas- 
sionately; she struggles and strikes hirn in the face.] 

Joe. You strike a me, hiss ! hiss ! if it wasn't for your pretty 
face, I choke you dead. 

Bud. [.screams] No. no, me no mean to. 

Joe. Hush ! talk like a whisper, some one may hear, gal I 
love you like mad ; I love you like I hate a all other. Come Bud 
live with me. (She .starts to go) Damma you shall. (She strug- 
gles and breakes away, rushes vp to steps, Joe .seizes her about the 
waist, .she jnishes him desperatehi. and he falls. She exits.) 

Joe. {After a pause) Hiss, de only one in de world dat I don't 
hate, she strike a me, she spit at me, and she tread a me down 
like a snake; (recovers) Dare, no more, I am too a soft, I will do 



Scene!.] Ranch No. 10. 7 

a work before night, big work. Freckle and dat gang come; 

good news, take a care No. 10. Red a Bullet is at work, my 

blood is boil, my heart is crack wid hate, hate ! hiss ! [Exit. 

Enter Robbins, meeting Joe, calling off. 

Rob. Oh no offence in the world, as the long bnried William 
makes Hamlet say : I merely nodded to the horse and neglected 
you because I think the horse respectable, and you — well you 
are doubtful at all events. If Joe keeps on he will get himself 
talked about. House ! I say, house ! were it night I would ex- 
claim : see what light through yonder window breaks ! but as it 
is, I will content myself with remarking: that if my sense of 
smell can be depended on Miss Smalley has a delicious stew on 
the kitchen fire, [ Mvsic. ] 

Enter Annie. 

Annie. Good morning, Doctor. I'm afraid you have already 
put me on your sick report, as they say at the Fort; I'm quite" 
bright to-day. 

Rob. Bright ! well I should say so; bright as a new nickle. 
How is your amiable relative ? 

Annie. Oh, Aunt is never sick yon know. 

Rob. Yes I know it to my sorrow; sick, no one gets sick here. 
(Enter Cori.) Good afternoon, Madame, in the language of a 
Rocky Mountain poet: the light of the burning sun flashes from 
your eyes, and the sound of a hundred cataracts burst from 
your lips. 

Cori. That's a matter of opinioii. Doctor; I want you to take 
care of this young lady by giving her as little of your compound 
extracts as possible; I brought her out here to give her a chance 
to breathe without swallowing New England fog every time she 
opened her mouth. I told her guardian that we were 7000 feet 
above Malaria, made no pies or sweet cakes, and that there was 
not a doctor within twenty miles — I forgot you when I made 
the statement. 

Annie. Why Aunt, how can you ! 

Rob. Madame, in answer to your somewhat candid declara- 
tion, permit me to remark, that the time will come when you 
will be glad that my banishment has not been effectual; for 
should you happen to fall from your second story window and 
fracture your spinal column, for you have a spinal column, I 
shall be most happy to wait on your majestic person, and per- 



8 Ranch No. 10. [Act I. 

form the delightful but delicate operation of carving you in two. 

Annie. Is he offended Aunty ? 

CoRi. Not he; we understand each other perfectly, as far as 
goodness in man goes he is tolerable, and as much as there is 
skill in doctors, he is bearable; now listen! Al McClelland is 
coming up the ravine; I saw him coming, with the glass five 
miles off. 

Annie. Oh Aunty ! 

CoRi. You unsophistcated little goose; I wish you were back 
in Massachusetts with your cough and bronchitis. The man's 
a picture I admit, but he's only a cow-boy, a good looking 
animal. 

Annie. With a man's heart. 

CoRi. You poor deluded female woman, the old story — and 
so you are spoons on Al McClelland, hey ! 

Annie. I like him very much, Aunt. 

CoRi. Well, well, Chariots of Jerico ! has he popped the 
question ? 

Annie. Yes Aunty, he has. 

CoRi. Dragons of Jerusalem ! and you did'nt box his ears, 

Annie. I could'nt Aunty, he held my hands so tight. 

CoRi. Well, I suppose there is no help for it; I wish it had 
been his brother Tom. 

Annie. He has often spoken of Tom. 

CoRi. His twin brother — many a time I've had em mixed up 
when they were babies. 

Annie. Exactly alike ! 

CoRi. Alike, revelations of Melkesideck. Why their own dear 
mother used to have to guess at them often, and then give them 
up; now that they are men and the animals well grown, they are 
more like one another than ever; I have'nt seen Tom for ten 
years; I wish you had'nt seen his brother at all. 

Annie. Be kind to* us, Aunty '? 

CoRi. .Kind, well I'll hear what the fellow has to say — but 
I — I — I think you are real mean, Annie, to go away and — and — 
leave me. (fmrsfs info tears.) 

Annie. We won't go away Aunt. 

CoRi. Yes you shall, I won't have any of your dove and pig- 
eon cooing about Ranch 10 : why I could'nt cook the food, I 
could'nt eat my victuals; I'd walk in my sleep, fall into the 



Scene I. ] Ranch No. 10. 9 

rain-water hogshead, put poison in the batter-cakes, and end 
the whole affair by setting fire to the Ranch and burning you 
in your beds before the honey-moon was half over. 

Annie. Oh what a tease you are ! 

CoRi. Well have it your own way; now I must go into the 
house and bring these critters to order, men in the house and 
horses in the stable; men profane and the horses kick; the men 
would kick too if they dared; the horses are well enough in 
their way; but as for the men, I always wondered what they 
were sent into the world for. • [Exit both. 

Enter Judge Prose and Holt. 

Prose. Well here we are at last ! Ranch 10. This is the last 
until we reach the up river Ranches. Why is there no one here 
to receive me, I, a circuit Judge, as well as a government 
official ; do they think a census taker is nobody ? 

Holt. It looks like it. 

Prose, It's unambiguous, deleterious, infectuous, predestina- 
tionous; a delightful smell however comes from yonder kitchen, 
it's stupendous, futricious, meretricious, delicious. 

Holt. I'll tell you better after I've tasted it. 

Prose. You are altogether too irrational, irascible, detri- 
mental, contemptimental. Is there any one alive in that house, 
if so, come forth and pay your respects to the representative of 
the grandest government under the sun; if you don't, I magnify 
you, bull dose you. 

Enter Coriander. 

CoRi. That's a matter of opinion. 

Prose. Madame, why are we not waited on ? 

CoRi. People generally wait on themselves here, and you can 
just bet your ears no one is going to jump over the moon 
because you have come. 

Prose. Do you know who I am woman ? 

CoRi. No niaii, and don't want to know if you are no better 
than you look. 

Prose. Do you hear that, spurned like a wood-chuck by this 
prairie aligator; it's unacceptable, unalphabetical, diametrical — 
How many people have you in your house, woman ? 

CoRi. They are in there eating; you kin go in and count em 
if you want to. 

Holt. jMadame this is Judge Prose of the Cheyene Court. 



10 Ranch No. 10. [Act I. 

appointed by the Government to take the census of this Terri- 
tory, and I am his assistant. 

CoRi. [shouts] Oh, come to count the people have you, well 
what do you want of me ? 

Prose. Madame, you had better reduce the number of words 
you use to the square inch, or may I be obliterated and extra- 
dited if you don't explode; call out your people. [Takes ovf hooh . 

CoRi. Annie come out here and git counted. 
Enter Annie. 

Prose. Good evening Miss, I am taking the census. 

CoRi. Are you sure you have'nt taken leave of your senses. 

Prose. Repress yourself, slow down, break up, repose and 1 
capitulate; you stand in the presence of a Government Official; i 
examine his height, take in the circumference of his waist-coat;: 
do I fill the bill or not ? 

CoRi. That's a matter of opinion. 

Prose. Holt, take down this irreverant woman's catagory. 
Now Miss, what is your name '? 

Annie. Annie Smalley. 

Prose. A quaint palpable name, not at all poetical or-or-or- 

HoLT. Hysterical. 

Prose, No not hysterical, invulnerable; where were you born? 

Annie. Rock River, Massachusetts. 

Prose. Rock River, indeed ! most interesting; that's where 
the Pilgrim Fathers landed. 

Annie. Oh no sir ! that was Plymouth Rock. 

Prose. Hey ! Plymouth — yes, yes, you are right, Plymouth 
Rock; have you any parents ? | 

Annie. No Sir. 

Prose. How old are you ? 

CoRi. Don't you tell him Annie. 

Annie. Oh yes Aunty. Nineteen. 

Prose. They are always glad to tell their age when they are 
under twenty; who is next? 

CORI. Annie, go and call Neely out. [Amiie f/oet^ up] You kin 
count me while you are waiting for her. 

Prose. No, you'll keep until the last. ^ , 

CoRi. Why so. 

Prose. Because you are the toughest, and it will probably 
take all night to count vou. 



Scene I.] . Ranch No. 10. 



11 



Enter Neely and Bud. 
CoRi. You are a wretch. 

Prose. I am a Government Official. 

CoRi. Same thing. 

Prose. [ To Neely^ What are you called. 

Neely. Sure Fm called every mornino- at four o'clock. 

Prose. Your name ? 

Neely. Neely Barrett from Tip. 

Prose. Tip ! where's Tip ? 

Neely. Oh sure he don't know where Tip is ! Tip in Ireland. 

Prose. Ireland ! where's Ireland ? 

Neely. It's in Ireland now, one of these days it will be in 
the United States. 

Prose. How old are you ? 

Neely. I'm purty well I thank you sir. 

Prose. Your age ? 

Neely. [rmisfoAnnie^ How old are you. Miss Annie ? 

Annie. Nineteen. 

Neely. Sure, I'm nineteen sure. 

Prose. Well you look it. 

CORL Come here Bud. iBud (joes doivn l. 

Prose. In the name of the great jumping Giraffe ! where did 
you catch that ? You murderous looking red-skin ! what is 
your name ? 

Bud. Silver Bud. 

Prose. How many scalps have you hanging in your wigwam ? 

Bud. Me no scalp, Great Spirit say bad; me love, me sing, me 
kiss. 

Prose. Remarkable young savage ! spends her time kissing 
and singing. Daughter of Sitting Bull approach, come hithe"- 
Pocahantas, Silver Bud. The pale-faced official of a mighty 
nation stretches forth his arm to patronize you. Minnehaha be 
patronized. Holt, make a note of this little incident; it's amia- 
cable, susceptible, allegorical. Now Madame, I'm ready for 



vou. 



CORT. Coriander Lucretia Smalley, born in Massachusetts; 
had the small-pox twice, never been vacinated, good bodily 
health; real estate owner; never been married thank heaven ! 

Prose. Feeling better now ? 

CoRL I always feel tolerably well. 



12 Ranch No. 10. [Act I. 

Prose, How old are you '? 

CoRi. That's my business. 

Prose. Put her down sixty-eight. 

CoRi. He shant ! Pm only forty-two. 

Prose. Forty-two, I thought I'd fetch you. Who else have 
you here permanently. 

CoRi. No one else; cow-boys coming and going all the time. 

Annie. Oh yes Aunty ! Al, you know. 

CoRi. Al McClelland, he is not a resident here, and I hope it 
will be a long time before he is. 

Prose. Who is this Al McClelland ? I've heard of him in 
Cheyene; Dandy Al they call him, a turbulent fellow always 
lighting; why only a month ago he thrashed a desperado. Port- 
ugee Joe, within an inch of his life — and — 

Annie. Stop sir ! I must correct you when you speak ill of 
Al McClelland, I know the truth regarding the circumstance 
of which you speak; Joseph Kebook is the owner of a number 
of wretched tenements in Cheyene, from one of these a Sheriff's 
officer was expelling a poor family, Kebook was assisting in his 
brutal way, and was using unnecessary force against a young 
girl, a cripple, who could not move as quickie as the rest; he 
pushed her roughly and the poor child fell to the ground. Mc- 
Clelland was passing and saw it all; in the glory of his manhood 
he fell upon the pitiable monster, and punished him as the lion 
would the coward wolf; this is the man whose character you 
would blacken; this is the man of whom I would say to you, go 
and do likewise. 

Prose. Holt. I've very important business ten miles from 
here. Madame, show us the way to your bar; I'll liquor up. 
jump into my gig, and get as far away from your Ranch as pos- 
sible, I think I'm a match for any one woman in the world, but 
when it comes to four, I'd rather be keel-dragged through a 
hundred Volcanoes, or face a dozen Earth-quakes. Madame, I 
take my official departure prematurely, substantially, argu- 
mentalisely, spermatically. I Exit with Half. 

• CoRi. Government official ! well if they are all like him, it's 
no wonder the government has to pay a hundred- thousand - 
dollars a year for carrying an empty mail bag ten miles. 

lExit CoRi, Bud, Neely. 
Annie. Around me all nature smiles, and with this blessed 



Scene I.] Ranch No. 10. 13 

warmth comes to my soul a glorious flood of happiness. He is 
coming to me now, swift as the wind that chases his pony 
across the prairie; I trust, I believe him; he is my own. 
Enter Al. 
Al. Forever little Starbell ! why those are not eyes, they are 
prairie flames growing right out of your forehead. 

Annie. Oh Al, I am so safe now; so happy, so glad, are you 
glad too. 

Al. Glad, why Annie that is a poor name for it; have you yet 
given a hint of our little secret to the amiable guardian of your 
health and conscience '? 

Annie. Yes, and I think that in the end we will find a warm 
champion in Aunt Cori. 

Al. Aunt Cori is a brick ! I suppose she gave me a terrible 
turning over, did'nt she? 

Annie. Oh yes indeed ! and she said she wished it was your 
brother Tom who was in love with me. 

Al. Indeed I dear old Tom; well you might do worse Annie, 
don't be shocked when you meet him Annie, Tom has never 
enjoyed the advantages given to brother Phil and I; he is rough 
in speech, in manner most positive, but his heart is as big as 
his body, and he's worth a dozen such fellows as I am. 
Annie. He is then very like you. 

Al. We are one and the same, bless his dear face; my noble 
twin brother ! But Annie when he comes here don't you ever 
mistake him for me. 
Annie. Is he coming then ? 
' Al. Yes, I took the liberty of anticipating IVIiss Cori's con- 
sent and wrote to Tom that it was all right, and that he was to 
come at once and see his brother take the fearful leap. Tom 
has at length put his pick into a streak of silver that assays 
very lively. He is in Colorado, his claim is at Wild Cry Gulch, 
in Silver Creek Cannion. 

Annie. Bless him, and bless you dear Al, and now not an- 
other word of nonsense until I have paid some attention to that 
awful appetite of yours. 

Al. It's worse than ever Annie; a slice of antelope, a couple 
of snowy rolls, and a bowl of milk will put me in marching or- 
der and enable me to assault that formidable fortress, Corian- 
der L. Smalley. 



14 Ranch No. 10. • [Act I. 

Annie. She will soon surrender. 

Al. She had better, or I will storm the outworks, take the 
citadel and carry off the prize by force of arms— come little one 
and see the performance. [Exit Al. 

Annie. He does love me, and I love him with all my trusting- 
heart, with all the love that heaven has planted in my soul; 
why thaii, should I see sorrow in the future; what cloud is it 
that seems to rise between us to-night ? He is near me. why 
am I not as happy as I hoped to be ? There is one thing I can 
do, trust to God as truly as I trust him. [Song and Exit. 

rhoni.s.-\ Enter Tom McClelland, stawls until chorus is over. 
Tom. That's a mournful kind of a tune. My brother Al writ 
to me to come yhar to a wedding; it sounds more like a funeral. 
Thar's a tidy lump of a woman; wonder if that aint Annie— bro- 
ther Al's Annie; this is the place sure enough; Ranch 10. 
Wonder if Al's yhar yit? They must be feeding in thar from 
the sound of the knives and forks. I wont speak a word to a 
soul until I've swept up my claim a bit. and shook some of the 
gold and silver dust out of my beard, then I'll jump out on Annie 
and Al like a Jack Rabbit, and hug em like a Grizzly Bar. Thars 
a sleeping room, 16. 17, 18; 18. I'll go right in thar— hello ! 
who's thar? 

Enter Robbins looking at Tom. 
Rob. Good Evening, McClelland. 

Tom. That's my name Stranger, whar did you git on to it? 
Rob. [looking at /r/m] Come here Mc. I want your advise 
about those cattle I bought. 

•Tom. Stranger, I arnt over particular; but as sure as nuggets 
is gold, I don't intend to speak a word to a soul in this yhar 
dead level grass county until I have rested two hours, cleaned 
my guns and put my bosom outside of five pound of Antelope 
meat; no disrespect stranger, but the man who always looks be- 
hind him, never gits shot in the back, [goes info 18.] 

Rob. Al McClelland come back ! Is the man drunk or mad ? 
How strangely he speaks, one of his jokes I .suppose; he has 
shut himself up in 18 room, he called me stranger. [Goes to 

door and .shakes it. ] All right Mr. McClelland, the next time 
you come to me with a cattle punchers knife in your ribs, may- 
be I wont sew up the wound with a wax-end and a shoemaker's 
needle. 



Scene!.] Ranch No. 10. lo 

Enter Al McClelland. 

Al. All right Aiiriie, thank you. Oh, Doctor Igood evening; 
my supper aint quite ready yet, Annie's going to prepare it her- 
self; that's enough to make a fellow eat. I've come out to have 
a crack at some of those hawks that get away with Miss Smal- 
ley's chickens. 

Rob. Well upon my word ! jumped out of the window, did 
you '? Little more civil now, with your yhar and your thar, and 
your stranger; all right stranger, the man who always looks be- 
hind him never gits shot in the back. [Exit. 

Al. Is the man drunk or mad ? There's that cold blooded 
snake Red Bullet, picketing his pony; I suppose he's going to 
stay here to-night; how I'd like to let both pannels go at him. 
and distigure his clothes between the shoulders; welll have'nt 
come to shooting people in the back, though I believe Joe will 
do it for me if he ever gets the drop. 

Silver Bud comes down and throics her arms about Al. 

Al. Now Bud no more of that; it wont do, [.s/^e iveeps'\ there, 
little indian don't cry, its no use, you know I've told you so 
before. 

Bud. Oh Al I me love much, me love better than Miss Annie; 
let me love little bit. 

Al. I have never given you cause for this, poor child, you 
promised me you would'nt speak of this again, Silevr Bud. 

Bud. Yes but now you go away, and marry Miss Annie, me 
never see you no much, no more. 

Al. [loudly'] Now this must stop ; hush I here's your mistress. 
En^er Coriander. 

CoRi. What are you scolding that poor girl about? Look out 
Al McClelland, I loved your dear dead mother long ago, and 
for her sake I loved her twin sons Tom and Al, but if you ill- 
treat this helpless child, you shall never again see as much as 
an old hair-pin that belongs to my niece Annie Smalley. 

Al. I am not in the habit of ill-treating women, Miss Smalley. 

CoRi. Oh I never trusted one of you; if I had, I might have 
been dragged into some terrible matrimonial infelicity myself. 

[Exit. 

Bud. Al me promise be good girl, let Bud go too; me scrub, 
me wash, me cook, me sing all the time; let little injan go too. 

Al. By the fires of unquenchable forked lightning, you shall 



16 Ranch No. 10. [Act I. 

go. and never want for a home while the principal member of 
the McClelland family has got a slab of lumber over his head. 
[f<f)e kisses his hand and weeps^ There little Bud, don't. [aside 
Poor little thing. Bud, do you see that hawk sailing over the 
prairie in the moonlight? I'll bring you the feathers from that 
bird to make a fan for your mistress; the little squaw has bro- 
ken me all to pieces; if I don't shoot the feathers out of that 
bird's tail pretty soon, I'll have a fit. [Exit.. 

Joe has been vmtchiiig Scene vp stage, noiv he comes doivn 
and touches Bud on shoidder.] 

Joe. Bud ! 

Bud. [turns in terr-or] No go. 

Joe, Will you go with a me '? 

Bud. No, me stay. 

Joe. You love dat Al. 

Bud. Yes me love — you me hate. 

Joe. You hate ! 

Bud. Yes. 

Joe. Damn ! 

Bud. Cto ! [Picture. He mores si owl 1/ away and goes off r. 
to E. Bxal turns to l. i. e. 

Bud. Yes Al, Bud always love; but no say, but only cry a lit- 
tle bit in bed; dear Al ! maybe me cry all the time. [Shot heard 
off^ R. u. e. and l. u. e. Bud falls c. Al love Bud now, poor 
Bud sick; in good land; Bud love all time, Al, Al, Bud sick. 
Bud glad. [Gasps and dies c. 

Enter Al McClelland, l. i. b. Murmurs in house. 

Al. I'll give that gun away to the first blind man I meet; I 
can't hit a hawk in the bright moonlight; a bird as big as a po- 
ny — never mind Bud I'll — [spring over to the body] Why Bud 1 
what is it girl ? If you have got breath enough to speak, let 
nie hear you. Blood ! the girl is dead ! [hurried rush of people 
from the hou.se. Enter CoRi., Rob., Neely and Annie. Joe 
and his gang enter from r. u. e. All down. 

CoRL Who fired that shot? What's this? Bud ! McClelland ! 

Annie. Speak Al ! 

Al. Hush, hush, all ! we are here with the dead ! 

All Dead? 

Al. Don't you see the poor little toad all shot to rags, the 
blood streaming out of her and melting into the dry prairie ? 



Scene I.] Ranch No. 10. 17 

Com. Poor little one ! 

Annie. Poor little Silver ! 

Rob. Ladies stand up, and Al McClelland, straighten your- 
self like a man that I know you to be, and tell us who did this. 

Al. Did it I by the Lord that made me, Fd give my arm to 
the shoulder to know the coward who did it. I would' nt kill 
him with a single rip of my knife, but I'd tear his limbs from 
his body, and then drop him out on the prairie for the wolves 
to play with. This poor little homeless girl has gone indeed; 
Fd give half my heart's blood to bring her back ! that wont do 
it; but I'll give a hundred head of cattle for the name of the 
coward who did this work. 

Joe. [rushes dot'-n] I claim dat hundred cattle. 

Rob. You know the man ? 

Joe. Yes. 

All Who? 

Joe. Al McClelland. 

AIj juwps fo7' him, Rohhins fhroics him over l. 

Rob. Keep quiet man ! leave this to me. 

Al. My God ! me ! 

Rob, Hold up your head and look the man you accuse in the 
face. 

Al. He can't do it I if he can, I'll own I did it. 

Joe. She was his a gal, he wanted to get a rid of her. 

Al. You lie ! you snake. 

Rob. Go on Joe. 

Joe. I heard a loud words between them. 

CoRi. Good heavens ! they were quarrelling. 
Al gets up stage. 

Joe. By and by him raise dat a gun and tire. 

Com. We heard the shot; oh horrible ! 

Joe. [p/cA-.s vp gvn] One barrel empty, and look ! see blood on 
his hand. 

Al. I can't think, I can hardly see. Oh God above, make me 
blind if you will, but don't curse me with madness ! Annie. 

Annie. Here Al. 

Al. Do you believe ? 

Annie. Innocent. 

Joe. Me do not. Take and hang quick ! [all start for Al. 

Al. [draivs pistols] Back ! you've tried to steal mj'^ honor. 



18 Ranch No. 10. [Act I. 

now come and try to take my life. Red Bullet I did not kill 
that girl, and you know that I did not; I don't mean to be hung- 
up in the moonlight by you or your gang of train-wrecking 
horse thieves, so look out for the moment, when backed by the 
rifles of honest men, I stand ready to fasten this devilish sin on 
the head of the coward to whom it belongs. [RKshe.s vp and 

slam.'^ door. The mob rush v%) break ojjen. Then they all fall back 
as CoRi. rufihes through them, she goes to door of 18 room, shakes 
the knob. 

CORi. This door is locked; McClelland come out. \_she goes 
doum. Annie is on her knees.] Annie hold up your aching 
head and bring your broken heart to me. [Annie runs to Com. 
I believe in your lover's truth, but the world wont; he must de- 
fend himself here, (to the men) He is in 18 room, break the 
door open. [Joe goes up and breaks in door. Tom appears and 
comes down. All stand in x>icture. He stumbles over body. 

Tom. What's hyar? Is this the way you do in this dead level 
grass country ? Butcher little squaws and then put em under 
people's feet for em to stumble over. What do you mean by 
waking a man out of his sound sleep by chopping his door into 
fire- wood '? 

Rob. A1 McClelland, have you gone clean crazy ? 

Annie, \_rushes to him] Al, Al. Al ! 

Tom. (aside) Al McClelland, Al ! (.^iezes tier) C^ome hyar Miss 
quick ! (takes her doum) 

Joe. Now grab him tight ! (^hey start) 

Rob. Stand off ! let the man have a chance; he's talking to a 
lady now: and the first cow-puncher that interrupts that heart- 
broken woman, I'll make^ fit subject for a dissecting room; 
get back ! (^hey go vp stage) 

Annie. Oh Al I what will become of us ? 

Tom. Hush ! look again Miss. (Annie utters a half stiffled 
scream) Hush ! your woman's heart tells you what yhar eyes did 
not; you called me Al jist now — you are Annie. 

Annie, Yes, and you are brother Tom. 

Tom. Yes I am brother Tom; I came hyar to your weddin< 
because Al writ to me to come quick; I went in thar to rest — I 
war asleep on the bed when they bust the door open — but tell 
me quick, what of brother Al? 

Annie. This poor girl has been murdered and they 



Scene!.] , Ranch No. 10. 19 

Tom. They accuse him, my brotlier Al ! they lie, they lie. 
they lie ! but quick ! what of Al ? 

Annie. Gone — fled through the house. 

Tom. Fled ! my soul ! and they take me for him. 

Annie. Yes, and he will soon be beyond the reach of danger. 

Tom. Now look me in the face. Did Al McClelland do this 
yhar? 

Annie. No ! no ! no ! 

Tom. God bless you sis, I knowed it; and you love him dear, 
don't you ? 

Annie. Better than my life. 

Tom. Thar it's all over, cheer up little one, I |swar in the 
name of the good man above, not to desart you or brother Al. 

Annie. What are you going to do ? 

Tom. Hush ! Tom McClelland has dropped out of the light of 
man praps forever, and yhar in his place stands Al the man 
accused. 

Annie. No, a 'single word will save you. 

Tom. No gal, this yhar aint my work or yourn; it is the work 
of him who stamped the same image on us two boys — remem- 
ber it's his claim we are working. [Annie goes up, Tom fnrns 
to Joe.'\ Gentlemen, I aint going to defend myself with words. 

Joe. Now grab. (Robbinfi interferes.) 

Tom. Stop ! for I swar in the name of the man that made 
them stars, there shall be no fighting about me while we are 
standing hyar with our feet in the blood of this dead indian; I 
surrender myself to be tried by the laws of God and man, and 
if thars a warm spot in your souls an inch square, you'll feel 
for the poor devil, who stands yhar accused of this awful crime: 
and of which he swars in the name of the great Jehovah, he is 
innocent. 

Joe. You talk too much, hang I 

Annie, (screams) No ! no.! hear me ! he is not — 

Tom. (seizing her-) Annie what do you mean ! do not speak. 

Annie. I must speak; justice first — love afterwards. 

All Speak I 

Annie. He is not 

Tom. (seizes her and buries her face in his bosom) He is not 
guilty: that's what she would say, Gentleman, he is not guilty I 

Curtain. 



1 



20 Ranch No. 10. [Act II. 



ACT II. 

Scene II. — Interior of Corrall, boxing stockade, hut across stage^ 
in 3 large folding doors. Gate l. down by one. Cow-bog asleep at 
table with mvsket, fire of sticks l. 

Enter Robbins at gate, goes and shake.-^ Sentrg. 
Rob. Wake up ! you lazy, snoring, sleepy wolf; keep your 
eyes open, and your mouth shut, or I'll be ham strung and 
quartered if you don't swallow that musket; to say nothing of 
loosing your prisoner. Get outside and don't you go to sleep 
again. [ Cow-boy exits] Sleep that knits up the ravelled sleeve 
of care; if a fellow could only sleep long enough he might get 
his entire wardrobe repaired. Good evening madame, are you 
feeling as well as you look ? 

Com. That's a matter of opinion; there's another pesky dis_ 
turbance about McClelland, dear oh dear ! I've scolded until my 
head aches. 

Rob. [taking her hand] Who has dared to give you a heart- 
ache — I mean a head-ache. 

CoRi. That little sawed off Judge from Cheyene is here; the 
one that counted me and the girls; he has been storming like a 
blizzard, and says that I ought not to have allowed :\IcClelland 
to be kept here. 

Rob. Oh well, his judicial majesty need give himself no fur- 
ther concern. Sheriff McDow in Cheyene, deputized Joe Ke- 
book to take charge of the prisoner, and he is legally detained. 
Now I have used my somewhat versatile powers of persuasion, 
and ^IcDow has cut off" Kebook's head and appointed me sole 
guardian of 3Ir. Al McClelland. 

CoRi. Well you are a good little round critter after all; is the 
poor boy to be kept in there until the trial ? 

Rob. No, he will, at all events, be as much in the hands of 
the law, out on the prairie; as in there, these drunken cow-boys 
drawing pay from Kebook, as his guards, carouse all day, and 
sleep on post at night; if he had chosen, he could have escaped 
a dozen times; to-morrow I'm going to clear him out of this, 
take his word that he will appear for trial at Cheyene, and al- 
low him the freedom that I am sure, rightly belongs to him— 
and that's my opinion of Mr. Al McClelland. 



Scene II. ] Ranch Xo. 10. 21 

CoRi. Why, you are really worth somethmg after all, you 
have made my head feel better already. 

Rob. [takes her handr\ Don't neglect to call on me if you have 
a relapse, my remedies are very simple, and I shall always be 
most happy to prescribe; [strokes her hand] feeling quite well 
now ? 

CoRi. [turns army swilinf/} That's a matter of opinion. 

Enter Neely with tray. 

Rob. Decidedly ! oh, here comes the fair mistress of the lar- 
der, with smoking provocations to appetite. What have you 
there, Miss Delmonico ? 

Neely. Sure I have a good supper for a good man; the fellow 
that can eat the way he does, never had the heart to murder 
poor Bud. 

Rob. And the man that can swear like that at seven P. M. 
must have plenty of conscience, and that conscience made of 
excellent material. 

CoRi. Aint that unfortunate animal had his roasted hen yet ? 
[Looks in centre doors and screams'] 

Rob. What is the commotion ? 

Neely. What is it ma-am ? 

Com. The wretch is on the bed I 

Rob. I hope he is'nt under the bed. 

Neely. People do go to bed sometimes, ma-am. 

CoRi. That's a matter of opinion. 

Tom. (inside) Who's out thar? 

Rob. Three charming ladies; a distinguished medical prac- 
tioner; half a broiled chicken, six eggs, with the usual surround- 
ing, the last named are rapidly cooling off. 

Enter Tom. 

Tom. I'll warm em. Evening ladies; I warn't asleep ma-am, 
I jist lay down thar rough shod like an army boss, and I got a 
thinking — [sees Annie enter, crosses to her.] Good evening sis, 
is your heart brave ? 

Annie. I'm trying hard. Tom. 

Tom. Keep your soul warm child, mine is, mine is. [goes to 
• tafde] Thank you ladies; Doctor, when a man kin eat like this 
yhar, he aint no need of your sarvices. 

CoRT. That's a matter of opinion; some of your sex would 



22 Ranch No. 10. [Act II. 

eat perched up on a red hot stove, and sleep on the top of a 
lightning rod. 

Rob. Right, ma-am, I was once amputating a leg — (t-he starts) 
a gentleman's leg; when I began to carve, he took down his 
fiddle and began to play, would you believe it ma-am ! before I 
had the bone half sawed through, the fellow w^as fast asleep 
with the fiddle under his head for a pillow. 

CoRi. That's a matter of opinion. 

Rob. Well perhaps this is rather breezy kind of chaff for Mc- 
Clelland to be obliged to swallow with his supper and his trou- 
l)le; let's leave him to his evening work. 

CoRi. Tell him first that to-morrow he is no longer to be 
shut up in this crazy old buffalo pen. 

Rob. (goes behind fable) Al old fellow, (he starts) Fve got a 
good piece of inteligence to read right into your ear; you are 
now my prisoner, I am your sheriff; at sun-rise to-morrow, you 
shall walk out of that gate and go where you please until your 
trial takes place — will you pledge me your word to appear at 
the Cheyene Court when we want you ? 

Tom. (in sad wonder) Going to send me away from yhar ? 

CoRi. Precepts of Israel ! why the man looks as if he was go- 
ing to be lynched ! 

Tom. (looks at Annie) No ma-am, but I aint got no other 
place to go in the wide world but yhar. 

Rob. What do you mean ? Go up to your Ranch at Stem- 
mers, and live there until we need you. 

CoRi. No place to go ! why the man has more friends than 
any one in the territory. 

Tom. (aside looking at Annie) Friends, what are friends to 

me now — (recovers) Thar, I'm getting to be a kid; thank you 

Robbins, do with me as you like; yes, I promise, thanks; bless 

•you all. [CoBi. takes his left hand, Uob^bi-ss his right, Neely 

jmts him on the back, Annie goes info shed. 

Rob. Now then let's leave him to his repast; by the way 
ma-am, speaking of eating, what shall we enjoy for breakfast. 

Com. That's not a matter of opinion. 

Rob. Not much information derived from that witness, Nee-^ 
ly; Miss Neely, was'nt that a string of prairie fowl I saw hang- 
ing up in the bar ? 

Neely. Yes, wont they make a fine roast Doctor ? 



Scene II.] Ranch No. 10. 23 

Rob. Roast doctor, oh I see; yes, delicious. 

Neely. Fat. 

Rob. Yes. 

Neely. Tinder. 

Rob. Yes. 

Neely. Young. 

Rob. Oh rapture" ! there must be a couple of dozen. 

Neely. Yis, a couple of dozen. 

Rob. Are they for breakfast ? 

Neely. That's not a matter of opinion. [Exit. 

Rob. That girl was trying to pump me; I will leave that un- 
fortunate man under charge of Kebook's guards, for the last 
time to-night; to-morrow there will be a dozen bold spirits up 
from Cheyene, and some officers from the fort; then if the Ke- 
book gang assert their authority, I will produce my official doc- 
uments and, aided by my saintly confederates, will use upon 
their horse stealing bodies, certain powerful remedies not class- 
ified in any erudite volume of Medical Science. [Exit. 
Annie comes from shed and touches Tom. 

Tom. [fiiindh/] Annie, sis, you thar, what were you doing in 
thar ? 

Annte. Trying to tidy your room a bit, Tom. 

Tom. You do that for me, no sis, not with them white hands. 

Annie. Yes Tom, for you just as I would for Al; do you 
know Tom that at times, you are both as one to me — Tom and 
Al and Annie all one. 

Tom. And little brother Phil out in Omaha, don't forgit bud. 

A'nnie. Strange, I feel it here Tom. what is going to happen ? 
Oh this awful future ! 

Tom. We'll meet it all together Annie, not even death shall 
seperate us boys and you; kin you guess where the dear one is 
now ? 

Annie. Oh, that I could ! 

Tom. Why did'nt he never used to talk to you with tears 
in his eyes, of brother Tom down in old Colly ? Did'nt he used 
to tell you that down thar war the dearest and best pardner he 
ever owned in the world ? 

Annie. Yes, yes. 

Tom. Well then little one, when this yhar trouble blast came 
unto him like starvation on a winter prairie, or death down in 



24 Ranch No. 10. [Act II. 

a flooded mine, wliar should he go but to Tom, down to the 
peak — down to the centre Of the Rockies. 

Annie. \_sprmg.'i wp] Gone to your claim in Colorado ! 

Tom. True again, sis; like the bird that went back to the 
good man in the scripture book; so he went for Tom because 
Tom war his gi'eat ark of safety. 

Annie, (down) And there I will follow him. 

Tom. You ! no, no Annie you could never make it; it's a hun- 
dred miles away from any rail road; no woman has ever been thar 
yit. 

Annie. Then I shall not go as a woman; in the garments of 
your sex; with a man's heart and a woman's love in that heart 
I will go. 

Tom. No ! no ! I cannot let you go. 

Annie. Why Tom, is it not my duty ? 

Tom. {cmdf) This child teaches me my duty. Sister Annie, 
from the time I war a boy at home with brother Al, before little 
Phil were born, I aint never said one single prayer; but sister 
Annie, if I know what prayin is, I'm a praying now, I'm a 
prayin now. 

Annie. Amen, and so am I. [.Song by Annie^ Tom, dear 
Tom. be brave still dear brother. I will go and find Al, tell 
him all, and bring him back to right this wrong, or at least get 
from him, some clue that will fasten the guilt where it belongs. 

Tom. {aside) I must hold out ! no more, or I am wus than a 
cur dog. You shall go. When ? 

Annie. To-night I can get everything ready at once. 

Tom. Fifty miles west of Greely is the town of Cold Claim, 
thar, lives Parson Jim Scripture 

CoRi. (inside) Don't you dare to stop me ! 

Tom. Hush ! hyar is your Aunty. 

Enter CORI. 

Annie. I was just coming to you Aunty. 

Com. Thats a matter of opinion; Niece, thars a bigger feeling 
in my heart for that man than I choose to tell either you or him; 
first, I don't believe he is a cut-throat in spite of the proof that 
may yet break his neck; no man with Abby McClelland' s blood 
warming his heart, could do a cowardly murder. 

Tom. Bless you, ma-am. 

Com. More still he loves vou; but all the same, he aint no fit 



Scene II.] Ranch No. 10. 25 

companion for you, nor is this the place for a young girl, about 
whom half the cow-boys in No. 10 begin to whisper and wonder. 

Annie. Oh Au nty ! 

Tom. Stop ma-am. 

CoRi. It's my speech, man ! and you might as well try to dip 
up Niagara Falls with a yankee pail as to shut me up when I've 
got something to say; Al McClelland, you don't need to have 
no new charge laid again you; don't meet this girl alone again, 
until the law has said, thar is nothing red on your hand. 

Annie, you have been given into my keep by them that loves 
you and trusts me; I don't believe there's an ill drop of blood 
under your skin, but when a lot of mean, cowardly, sneaking- 
men begin to hint and wink, it's time for some elderly female, 
about my size, to roll up her sleeves and see that no lies are 
told about the orphan girl living under her roof; and that's my 
opinon first, last, all the time, and twice on Sunday. [Exit. 

Tom. Yes, she must go; to keep her hyar longer, would be a 
sin; to keep her hyar would bring a hunger into my heart that 
would make me hate myself and cuss my brother Al; I'd die 
joyful to see her his wife to-day; I'd be willing then to say one 
more prayer, hyar one more song from her lips, and then go 
right out to the boys, say, gentlemen I done it, and die in my 
boots. Oh ! I'm in a heap of trouble sar, for myself and them I 
car for; I hope the good man will keep my soul warm, for it 
needs warming. 

Joe. [outside] I am Deputy Sheriff in charge of that a pris- 
oner, lenters] Good a morning, Al. 

Tom. \_biisy with chair'] I'm looking towards you, sar. 

Joe. Well, Al McClelland, I have a got de drop on a you dis 
a time, and it will a be a cold a day if I don't a get dare now. 

Tom. I'm listening to you, sar, go on. 

Joe. I'm getting a back at you now for dat a time you knock 
a me under de billiard table in Cheyene; oh ! I'm glad I did'nt 
shoot a you den, for I'm a getting back for de red a gal you 
stole from me, 

Tom. I'm listening to you, sar, go on. 

Joe. I often get a hungry and a parch to get a back at your a 
carcass, but I never know how until you tumble right under 
my feet, and I could so easy put the blood of dat a gal on you. 

Tom. Then it w^ar you who put her blood on me ? 



56 Ranch No. 10. [Act II. 

Joe. Who says so, not I ? 

Tom. I'm listening to you, sar, go on. 

Joe. I heard you talk to Bud dat a night, I heard her a beg 
for your love; I heard you shut dat a gal's mouth, and tell her 
dat you take her up de river, for servant of dat a green and 
yellow Yankee gal you going to marry. 

Tom, (spring-^ at Mm) You damned Cayotte ! [Joe raises gun. 
Tom imts up his hands^ 

Job. You look a wild now, and keep a still. [he gets excited 
andforgefful} I always knew she love a you, but when I see her 
squeeze a your hand and beg for your love, my blood tremble 
and. boil up. 

Tom. {eagerly) I'm listening to you, sar, go on. 

Joe. (madly) Den I saw my chance; you ran away to shoot 
dat hawk, I come to beg once more for dat a gal to love a me; 
she spit on me, and slap a me, hate ! hiss ! I get a wild, crazy, 
I raised dat a gun — 

Tom. And fired ! 

Joe. (recovering) No, no, I ran away ! 

Tom. You lie, you raised your gun and killed Silver Bud ! 

Joe. Dat a lie ! 

Tom. True ! the words were jumping right out of your mouth 
her blood is shining right in your eye, see ! thar she is behind 
you. [Joe idters a cry affright, turns quickly, drojjs gun. Tom 
stands on it'\ I'm listening to you, sar, go on. Not guilty ! I 
I knowed it; oh Al boy, forgive me if I doubted you for a mo- 
ment, [puts Joe's gun away.'] You unclean warmint, that lies 
crawled into day-light; you cowardly snake, that bites behind 
and then runs away; I've got a little brother Phil out in Oma- 
ha; if that thar kid war hyar, I'd make him beat out your brains 
with his slate and pencil; but as he aint hyar- [struggle and fall. 
Pat Strangle appears on stockade with gun, aims at Tom icho is 
over Joe.] 

Pat. Drop that man, and hold up your hands. Tom holds up 
his hands and Pat loioers gun, Tom seizes pnstols from Joe's belt 
and aims at Pat. 

Tom. Drop that thar gun, and hold up your hands ! (Pat does 
.so. After applause, Robbins hursts through the gate, rushes for 
Tom and takes the pistols away from him. 

Tom. Robbins, this hyar fiend has jist confessed that he mur- 



Scene II. ] Ranch No. 10. 27 

dered Silver Bud the injim gal, I dragged it from him word by 
word; look at him as he lies thar, and judge between him and 
me ; am I a liar or he a red stained murderer ? 

Rob. Well I for one am not indisposed to believe you, but 
there is no law in medical science, I mean in legal x)ractice, that 
can convict a man on his own confession, given away from the 
hearing of disinterested witnesses. I should advise you to let 
the deputy Sheriff up before you pump all the wind out of him 
with your boots. [Joe rises'] 

Joe. Hate ! hiss ! in one week from to-day — 

Rob. (fhroics him aroimd) See here Red Bullet, if you or your 
congregation there interfere with this man's comfort, to the 
limited extent of causing him to drop an eyelash to the ground. 
I'll perform an operation on your anatomy not set down in any 
erudite volume of Medical Science. 

Joe. I. am Deputy Sheriff in charge of dat a man. 

Rob. You were genial Joe, but your official career exists only 
in the past tense; your successor is already on the ground. 

Joe. Who? 

Rob, Theopolis Robbins M. D. 

Joe. Hiss ! 

Rob. Hiss away, Joe, it pleases you and we don't mind; here 
^s sheriff McDow's warrant and here is your high bounce. 
[hands Joe p«per] For to-night this man is the sole owner of 
the enclosed premises; to-morrow he shall go where it strikes 
him he will do the most good; and if any of you doubt my au- 
thority, in the language of that good old gentleman from Tenn. 
I take the responsibility— crawl out. [Exit outlaws. 

Joe. [f/e^s his gun and crosses, turns at gate} Hiss ! 
Rob. This caucus is disolved. [Exit Joe. 

Tom. Pardner they dug you out of a good piece of rock — free 
gold; hold on to this a moment. (they dasj) hands) 

Rob. Ko need to tell you to keep your tongue still; to-morrow 
some of my following are to gallop over from Cheyene, then 
you may depart as you please, until you are wanted by old 
Judge Prose in Cheyene. Above all things, respect the feelings 
of these poor people whose hospitality you enjoy; don't let any 
of these rounders connect your name with Annie Smalley as 
they did with Silver Bud. 

Tom. Hold on man ! 



38 Ranch No. 10. [Act II. 

Rob. There I am speaking for the good of all; don't see her 
again until your good name is established. 

Tom. I wont ! bless her, I wont ! 

Rob. I will send you a green glass bottle containing a mix- 
ture both cheering, stimulating and exhilarting; the contents 
of which, however delightful to us, is not of sufficient signifi- 
cance to bear frequent mention in any erudite volume of Med- 
cal Science. [Exit. 

Tom. And now the time is come for Annie and I to part for- 
ever, the only one who knows that I am not Al McClelland, is 
going off to life and happiness. She kin save me before she 
goes: she must speak. But I have sworti to save her lover, my 
brother Al; I have sworn to stay and suffer in his place; if I 
break that oath and he is took again, it will be sartain death for 
her as well as him. I'll not break either word or oath; jump on 
your pony brave girl and go for the man you love, I'll stay right 
hyar and trust to my great big North American luck to save 
my neck. [Exit into shed. 

Enter Annie imder-dressed as- a boy. 

An. The sentinel is asleep at his post; I trembled as I passed 
him; I am certain I saw something crouching in the grass di- 
rectly in my path, a wild beast or still worse, someof Kebook's 
spying accomplices; a word with my noble Tom and then begin% 
the fight, (knocks at shed) 

Toi^. [at door} Annie, sis, you yhar ? No ! no ! quick then ! 
Parson Jim Scripture at Cold Claim, is the man you want to go 
for; don't try to deceive him about anything; in the name of a 
helpless woman, kindly beg that good man to lead you to the 
Western Belle and put you safe in the arms of my brother Al; 
is your pony ready ? 

Annie. Yes, saddled and picketed down in the ravine; you 
see Tom, I have begun to work for myself. [Joe appears and 
darts off again ] 

Tom. What was that ? Some one at that thar gate; Annie, I 
tremble for your good name; not for my life would I have you 
found hyar now. [goes and fastens gate} Are you strong Annie ? 

Annie. Yes Tom, let me Jhold your hand for a moment. 

Tom. (takes her hand) Don't you tremble child, when you 
find my brother Al, don't wait for food or drink, but drag him 
down on his knees before Jim Scripture, and make the good 



Scene II.] Ranch No. 10. 29 

old feller speak the words that gives you to him forever — oh, 
Annie ! until that is done, don't you never look upon my face 
again, not even to speak the words that would save me from 
the gallows. 

Annie, {eagerly) Oh Tom, why ? 

Tom. Because I — I — (aside) Because my poor sore heart 
would break through my bosom, and she would see all that thar 
is writ upon it. — Don't tell Al that I am hyar keeping watch 
for him, he'd come flying back like some great eagel to pull 
Tom out of danger. 

Annie. But Tom you must be saved, and these terrible men 
in Kebook's employ, will come perhaps and put you to a disa- 
greeable death. 

Tom. x\nnie, Kebook killed Silver Bud; in his mad rage to- 
day I pulled the words right out of his mouth; we have no 
proof, but that man fears me, and I have got ready for him 
long ago. In that old store shed amongst other things, I found 
a part of a keg of powder; that powder I have planted under 
that old building and under that stockade; that fire burns thar 
night and day; if the wust comes to wust, and them fellows at- 
tempt to take the law in their own hands, I'll blow em up to the 
clouds, as I am a living man, I will ! And now Annie, it is time 
for you to go. [sho' fired] What is that? 

Annie. The alarm at the Ranch, they are after me ! Tom. 
what shall I do '? [shouts outside~\ 

Tom. In ! in, quick ! {he jnits her in shed, locks door) 

Rob. {outside) Open the door or I will break it down with a 
wagon pole ! 

CoRi. Open the gate ! 

Tom runs and opens gate, all rush on. 

CoRi. Where is she, scoundrel ? 

Tom. Thar is no scoundrel hyar ma-am. 

Rob. {ivith knife) Is Miss Smalley here McClelland '? If she 
is it's death for you or I; if she is not it's the work of a coward 
and a liar. 

Tom. (i/p to him) Hold on man ! 

Joe. She is in that hut. 

Com. Search it ! \All start for door] 

Tom. Stop, you shall not ! thar's an oak door and six feet of 



30 Ranch No. 10. [Act II. 

good solid man to go through, before you kin enter that thar 
room. 

Rob. McClelland, when I touched your hand to-day, I knew 
that between us there are ties that make us one; now open that 
door, or tell me that the girl we seek is not here. 

Tom. [icith axe'] Then see for yourselves. [He breaks doors 
ojjen. Annie a^ a boy comes doim] It's only my little brother 
Phil from Omaha. 



FOR ENCORE. 

Tom. Yes ma-am, little Phil come hyar to his brother's wed- 
ding, praps it will only be a funeral after all; please ma-am give 
him shelter for to-night. 

CoRi. Neely take the boy to the Ranch. 

Joe. Where a den is Annie Smalley ? 

Tom. Away from the murderous hand of bad men and human 
devils; off on the path of duty, with her woman's wit and the 
grit of a lioness, seekin for proofs agin the man who murdered 
the Indian gal. 

Joe. Dat is you. 

Tom. No you ! robber, coward, cut-throat ! 

Joe. Prwe it ! 

Rob. Tell him you will. 

Tom. I take your challenge man, and with the help of strong- 
hands and brave hearts, I will prove it. 

Curtain. 



TABLEAUX I. 

Scene. — Corrall as before. Enter Joe and gangioith roi^e which 
they throiv across limb of tree. He knocks at door. Tom comes ovt. 

Tom. What do you want hyar, pardners ? 

Joe. A1 McClelland you kill dat a gal Silver Bud — dat not 
enough, oh no ! you find Annie Smalley, make much talk at 
trial in Cheyene; you get her here and kill all same as Silver 
Bud; where is dat a grave you make ? Come, tell quick ! 



Scene III. ] Ranch No. 10. 31 

Tom. You unclean lot of half starved wolves, get out of this 
hyar place, it is mine ! 

Joe. The only part of dat place you own is dare. [j^oints to 
rope suspended'^ 

Tom. What you deyils ! [Terrible struggle, Tom finally gets a 
brand from the fire and puts it behind door. Look hyar you half 
breed Coyotees, do you think I will ever let my neck go inside 
of that noose? [Terrible struggle] Stop ! you fiends of perdi- 
tion, save your strength and breath to say your prayers, for in 
another moment, I will send you out over the prairie like rot- 
ten chips. Help ! 

Terrible explosion, everything falls, discovering the Banch in 
fiames. Annie at window screaming. Tom rushes in, climbs to 
roof, breaks in and bears Annie from the burning house. 

Curtain. 



TABLEAUX IL 

Scene IIL — Rocky Mountain Pass, bridge down and masked in 
with snow rocks, snow wings, snoio falling , wind holding, mountain 
drop in 4. Calcium ready. Al discovered on rock doion centre in 
rags covered with blood. Moon shines out. 

Al. Alone on these awful heights, falling from cliff to chasm: 
broken in body and in spirit, and reason tottering on its throne 
and yet he must be near me now, Tom ! will you let me die here 
alone in the ice and snow, alone on the Peak '? [falls on rock. 
Annie and Scripture apypear at back and cross. 

Script. Come my poor child it is useless, you had better re- 
turn to the camp, or you will perish with hunger and cold. 

Annie. No, Parson, he was seen passing Wild Cry Gulch; 

have we not followed his bloody tracks in the snow ? I have 

toiled to find him as never woman toiled before; and I will find 

him, dead or alive; I will find him ! [They Exit. Storm again. 

En^er Annie and Scipture. Moonlight, she discovers Al. 

Annie. I have found him, Parson I thank heaven, I have 
found him. 



33 ^ Ranch No. 10. [Act II. 

Al. Who is there ? 

Annie. Annie, Al, your own Annie; don't you know me 
darling ? 

Al. {faintly) Yes, yes. 

Annie. Come to nurse you back to life; come from the Ranch 
and from Tom who is there. 

Al. Tom at the Ranch, is he well ? 

Annie. Yes he is [looks at Parson'\ well. 

Al. Thank heaven. 

Annie. Ranch 10 has been destroyed by fire; Tdm saved me 
from the flames; he has been taken for you and imprisoned for 
the murder of Silver Bud. Oh Al ! arouse yourself; you and I 
will return to right this terrible wrong, or bear with Tom our 
share of this great misfortune. 

Al. [with effort] I'll go now Annie, [falls back] who is with 
you Annie ? 

Annie. A good brave clergyman, Tom's friend who has been 
with me during all this weary journey. 

Al. Quick ! Parson; this girl, make her my wife. [Business ^ 

Pakson. Do you take this man to be your lawful wedded 
husband ? 

Annie. I do. 

Parson. Do you take this woman to be your lawful, wedded 
wife ? 

Al. I do. 

Parson. Then I pronounce you man and wife; those whom 
God has joined together; let no man put assunder. 

Al- [Faintly. Falling] Amen ! Annie — going fast — glad of 
it — pain awful. Tell brother Tom, that both of us must live 
again in him. Tell him to love you as I have loved, and to do 
by you as I would have done; it don't matter which can claim 
vou Annie, we will be altogether; Al, Tom, Annie and little 
Phil from Omaha. [Dies] 

Annie. Dead, and by a murderer's hand ! the blood on the 
prairie grass, and in the snow, alike call aloud for vengeance ! 

Parson. The avenger of blood is your God. 

Annie. And I am his child; guided by his hand, and strengh- 
ened by his love, I devote my life to placing in the power of 
justice, the man who committed this double murder. 

Parson. A righteous cause. 

Annie. Heaven deal with me, as I attempt this holy duty. 

Curtain. 



Scene IV. ] Ranch No. 10. 33 



ACT III. 

Scene IV. — Interior of Court Roomin Chei/entie, w.t. Judge on 
elevated seat, Jury in their places. Spectators croicded at back. Joe 
in their midst. CoRi. and Neely seated. Several gentlemen seated 
at table, c. writing. Robbins in the rear of table. 

.Judge Prose. In opening this Court it becomes my duty, I 
may say my pleasure, gentlemen, to disparage the sloth and 
lack of punctuality on the part of the officers of this august and 
deliberate body; on the other hand I compliment the jury on 
the promtness they evince in being in their places, even before 
the head of the court has taken his seat; the absence of the 
other officers must be looked into, and if guilty of neglect, they 
shall be punished; it is rej^rehensible, inadmissable, inexcusable, 
actionable, culpable. 

Rob. [breaking In] Damnable. 

Judge. Who said that ? If I knew I would commit him in- 
stantly. Where is the prisoner? Where are the Court Officers? 

Rob. The prisoner will be here at once; I answer for him. 

Judge. Who are you, sir ? 

Rob. Deputy in charge of the prisoner. 

Judge. I have heard that he is out on bail; a first degree mur- 
der case on bail; who is his bail? 

Rob. I am; since Ranch No. 10 was destroyed, he has been 
living at Stemmer's Ranch, forty miles north of No. 10: he 
pledged his word to appear on time for trial, and I allowed him 
the freedom of the Territory. 

.Judge. Most extraordinary, arbitrary, elocutionary, and in- 
obligatory; you have no right in the premises, sir, I'll consult 
the authorities, sir, [turns over books] it is unprecedented, im- 
material, unconstitutional; who is his counsel? 

Rob. At the prisoner's request, I shall act for him. 

Judge. You I don't you think you'd better run tlie Court 
yourself; I shall consult the authorities, sir; as for the other 
officers — where are they? Where's the Prosecuting Attorney? 

Rob. He was shot last night. 

Judge. What ! how dare he ! it's a direct insult to this aug- 
ust body; is he too sick to appear ? 



34 Ranch No. 10. [Act III. 

Rob. No, he's dead. 

Judge. Dead ! then he's excused; Clerk of the Court send me 
a live lawer. 

Rob. The Clerk was lynched at daylight this morning. 

Judge. What for ? 

Rob, For shooting the Prosecuting Attorney. 

Judge. Excuse him also. 

Rob. Thanks your Honor, we'll try to. 

Judge. Don't be so dogmatical, sir, so unpoetical, so em- 
phatical; Lawyer Holt we select you to represent the govern- 
ment and prosecute the prisoner. 

Holt, \_rising from table) This is very sudden, your Honor; 
no time for preparation. 

Judge. Time ! what more time do you want — you've got a 
whole hour; not a word, sir, or I'll commit you. Sheriff Rob- 
bins, go into that Billiard Room opposite, and tell my son David 
to come over here and act as Clerk of this august body. 

Rob. Yes, your Honor, decisively, immediately, instanta- 
neosly. 

Judge. Go, sir ! 

Rob. Spasmodically. \_Exit vp c. door'] 

Judge. While we are waiting, we might as well go ahead; 
the witnesses — where are they? I'll make sure of them at least. 
[reads from paper] Joseph Kebook. 

Joe. [S2)rings iq) shouting] Here a your Honor ! 

Judge. Well you are alive at all events. Coriander L. 

Smalley. 

CoRi. [rising] Well, what do you want with me ? 

Judge. Answer to your name. 

CoRi. You know my name. 

Judge. Say, here ! 

Com. Where? 

Judge, (shouting) There ! 

Com. Oh, here. 

Judge Why could' nt you say here at first ? Neely Barrett. 

Neely. Good morning, sir. 

Judge. Answer to your name. 

Neely. How did you know my name ? 

Judge. Say here ! 

Neely. Sure I aint there. 



I 



Scene IV. ] Ranch No. 10. 35 

Judge, [shouting] Say here ! 

Neely. Of course I hear, ye spake loud enough. [goes up. 
Enter Robbins. 

Judge. Well Sheriff, did you find my son David, and order 
him to come here and act as Clerk ? 

Rob. I told him. 

Judge. What did he say ? 

Rob. He said he'd see you hung first. 

Judge. [Flustering] What ! what ! how dare you talk about 
hanging in court ! what else did he say ? 

Rob. He said one crank in the family was enough. 

Judge. The graceless whelp, I'll commit him. 

Rob. I told him so. 

Judge. What did he say ? 

Rob. He said if you did you'd die with your boots on. 

Judge. Ahem ! ahem ! excuse him also; where shall I get a 
clerk ? 

Rob. I will act as Clerk. 

Judge. You will soon fill every office in the commonwealth; 
it's unhallowed, invalid; I'll consult the authorities. 

Rob. Judge, I am the most versatile man in Wyoming Terri- 
tory; I'll serve as Clerk. 

Judge. It's not altogether in accordance with the authorities, 
but we'll try it. [He administers oath to Bobbins] Where's 

the prisoner, sir? 

Rob. [Looks at watch. Aside] He's an hour behind time. 

Joe. [From the crowd] He will not a com-e. 

Judge. Who says that '? Come here ! [Joe comes dowm] 

Rob. Your Honor, this man is the active enemy of the ab- 
sent prisoner; if he does not come, I forfeit what I have depos- 
ited. Who's most entitled to respect and belief? This ruffian 
who bullies women, and who has been spit on by every cow-boy 
in the Territory, or I, a man, a medical authority, a scientist 
and a politcal. 

Judge. You take advantage of your position, sir. 

Rob. What position, for heavens sake ! 

Judge. Every position in this Court, sir, except that of judge ! 
and I aint at all sure you wont grab that before the trial's over. 
[to Joe] Now speak man, what do you know? 

Joe. I know dat jury indict him for a murder, and den he 



! 



36 Ranch No. 10. [Act III. 

out on bail; I know that as soon as we all left Stem mer's Ranch, 
McClelland watch a close, jump on a pony and a start for 
Downer's where he can take a tram East; same time I make a 
miss big pile of money, 85,000; you find dat money on him I bet, 
when we make a catch him. 

CoRi. That's a matter of opinion ! Judge I don't believe this 
amphibious Bushwacker; he swore my niece Annie Smalley was 
in the Corrall with McClelland; we caught him in that lie, and 
now he lies again; I answer for it, on the reputation of a wom- 
an, a bondholder and an old maid. 

Judge. But where is he ? I'll consult the authorities. 

CoRi. [crosses to i?o6] Doctor, this begins to look bad; what 
with Annie's disappearance, the murder, the Ranche's destruc- 
tion, and now Al McClelland' s running away, Fm quite broke 
up. 

Rob. Hush ! I can't believe ill of him; I have perfect conti- 
dence in his word. 

Judge. Start in pursuit at once ! shoot him wherever found ! 

Rob. Judge give us a little time. 

Judge. Not a moment ! his release is most extraordinary un- 
explanatory, uncomplimentary; I order you to collect a posse 
of men and start for Downer's, shoot him if he makes the least 
resistance. 

Joe. I a volunteer a go. 

Judge. Start at once, this Court is dissolved, [oil rise. Cheers 
outside. 

Rob. \_runs to door.'\ I was right, the noble fellow on . his 
horse, tearing over those garden patches — over they go ! down ! 
he is killed ! no, it's the horse ! up again; look at him run ! three 
cheers for Al McClelland ! {all cheer, he rushes on.] 

Tom. Robbins I killed the pony, but I've saved the saddle 
and bridle. Gentleman I will explain all; this yhar man 
tried to bribe me to forsake my pledged word, and run away 
from them that has befriended me; he fearing to face this Court 
and the almighty truth, he hoped to follow me up, shoot me in 
the dark and recover this hyar wallet marked with his name 
and loaded with 5,000 dirty dollars; thus branding me in the 
moment of death, a thief as well as a murderer and perjured 
villian; Red Bullet when you left me out thar on the prairie, 
you left a devil in my heart, and this pile of money in my hand 



Scene IV.] Ranch No. 10. 37 

you told me Annie Smalley was at Downer's waiting to fly with 
me to the east; I saw freedom all around me, and death hyar. 
what did I do — I turned my heart inside out, kicked the devil 
black and blue, stabbed my spurs into Robbin's horse, and 
am hyar to hand you baek your bundle of green temptation, 
with a clear conscience and a warm soul. 

Holt. (Reading) lwritten'\ We, the meinbers of the Grand 
Jury convened according to Law, to hear and decide upon such 
crbuinal case as may he presented to us, do hereby render a true 
Bill of Indictment against Albert McClelland for the murder of an 
Indian Woman, known as Silver Bud, on the 3rd day of September, 
1871, and believing according to our oaths that the evidence against 
the said. McClelland is of such weight that he should he tried before 
(I Judge and Jury, if is ,s-o ordered. 

(Signed) William Hardy, 

Foreman Jury. 

Judge. Prisoner you have heard the idictment, what say you 
are you guilty or not guilty ? 

Tom. Not guilty, so help me heaven ! 

Judge. You must never mention heaven in the Court, it's in- 
discreet, uncircumspect, indirect. Go on sir. 

Holt. Gentleman of the jury, the prosecution has been 
allowed but little time for research and deliberation, but I find 
upon examination of the evidence given before the Grand Jury, 
the case against the prisoner is so firmly establised, that I shall 
not be obliged to trouble you with a lengthy preamble; I will 
show you from the testimony of reliable witnesses, first, that 
there existed a strong motive for this murder; I will show you 
that the woman Silver Bud, held relations with the prisoner not 
in accordance with law or morality. 

Tom. You'r wrong thar pardner. 

Judge. Sit down or I'll commit you. 

Tom. I thought I was pretty well committed already, Pard- 
ner. 

Rob. Keep cool. 

Tom. I will man if I kin. 

Holt. The jury can draw their own conclusions from these 
interruptions; I say his motive in wishing to be rid of the de- 
ceased was that he might marry a young heiress, named Annie 
Smalley. I will show you that just before the shot was fired. 



38 Ranch No. 10. [Act III. 

McClelland was engaged in an angry controversy with the de- 
ceased, that the accused was found terror stricken by the body 
his double barrel shot gun with one barrel discharged, smok- 
ing by his side. In short, gentleman, I intend to show so clear- 
ly the guilt of this unfortunate man, that you will render a ver- 
dict for the people without leaving your seats. Call Joseph 
Kebook. 

Rob. Joseph Kebook. [Be rvshes into box'\ No need to call 
him, he's in the box already. [Boh. takes t>ihle frotn Judge's 

Stand and adminsters oath] 

Holt. What is your name ? 

Joe. Joseph a Kebook. 

Holt. Were you a witness to the qUarrel that took place be- 
tween the prisoner and the deceased just before the murder '? 
If so, tell the jury what you heard. 

Judge. Remember you are on your oath. 

Rob. Much he cares about that, 

Joe. I was a come over dat a prairie to dat hotel call No. 10, 
and a heard a noise, loud noise, much make fight with a mouth, 
I a wait and listen. 

Rob. Then you were spying about the place, were you '? 

Joe. No, hiss ! 

Judge. Order ! 

Rob. I have a right to question. 

Judge. No sir, not by the authorities, if you are drawing 
four salaries at one time. 

Holt. Go on Mr. Kebook. 

Joe. Moon be bright, I saw Al and Bud, she make a loud 
howl and cry, and he say damn, hiss, like de debil; putty soon 
her make a run back a putty good a way, raise his gun and 
make a fire; Silver Bud fall, putty quick I guess. 

Holt. Very well, was it generally known that the accused 
bore questionable relations with the deceased? 

Rob. (springiny up) I object most emphatically, dogmatically 
and bald headedly ! 

Judge. We overrule your objection. 

Rob. I tell you Judge you are stroking the cat the wrong way. 

Judge. I'll consult the authorities. 

Holt. Answer, was this known ? 

Joe. It was known by every cow-boy inside a fifty mile. 



Scene lY. ] Ranch No. 10. 39 

Holt. That will do Mr. Kebook. 

Rob. No it wont do Mr. Kebook ! stay right where you are, 
[Joe hangs Ms head] take your eyes oft' your big feet and look 
at me; when I am talking with a man I like to see the whites 
of his eyes; did the prisoner at the bar ever knock you down 
with a Billard Cue in Brady's Saloon for cheating at Poker ? 

Joe. Me no make a cheat. 

Rob. Look up you whimpering calf, did he knock you under 
the table — answer ! 

Joe. Yes — hiss ! 

Rob. You love him very much, don't you, hey? Look up 
answer ! 

Joe. No, hate ! damn ! hiss ! 

Rob. You did not hate the girl Silver Bud, did you, hey ? 

Joe. No, nice a gal. 

Rob. Did you not woo her, and try to induce her to live with 
you; be careful, McClelland got the best and stole the girl's 
heart ? Speak ! 

Joe. {angry) Yes ! hate, hiss ! he make a steal. 

Rob. I thought so, he beat you with a Billiard Cue and then 
captured your sweetheart — what other name are you known by 
than Kebook ? 

Joe. {grins proudlg) Red a Bullet; because I make a bullet 
out of copper — copper he red. 

Rob. Tell the jury what the Red Bullet is like. 

Joe. Long a like my finger, he make a big hole when he 
strike. 

Rob. You know copper is a poison ? 

Joe. Yes, sure kill. 

Rob. {takes out the Bidlet he picked up in the first act) Is that 
a genuine Red Bullet? 

Holt. I object to this ! what has it to do with the case ? 

Rob. I wish to show the jury what kind of a man Mr. Ke- 
book is, he confesses he murders men with copper poison. 

Judge. Answer the question, is it yours ? 

Joe. {looks at it) Yes, a mine sure. 

Rob. {hands it to Foreman) Look at it gentleman, a nice 
weapon truly, get out of sight, {shakes hands with Tom) First 
knock down for our side. 



40 Ranch No. 10. [Act III. 

Judge. You musii't talk about knocking clown, it's against 
the authorities. 

Rob. Oh, the authorities be 

Judge. Stop sir ! don't you damn the authorities. 

Rob. I didn't damn them. 

Judge. You came damned near it. 

Holt. Is this a Court of Justice or a beer dive ? 

Judge. Keep Silence and call the witnesses ! 

Holt. Coriander L. Smalley. 

RoBBiNS ivrites note and sends it. Cori. gets into box, and is 
given Bible, which the Judge hands to Rob. 

Com. What's this? 

Rob. • The Holy Bible. 

Cori. "Read and Return," Union Pacific Rail Road Co., why 
this was stole off the Chicago cars, (to Judge) Oh, you old 
scamp ! 

Judge. It aint my bible woman ! swear her. 

Rob. I must swear you. 

Cori. I don't want to swear. 

Judge. Why not ? 

Cori. Because I'm a Quaker. 

Judge. A whater ? 

Cori. A Quaker. 

Judge. What's a Quaker? 

Cori. Consult the authorities. 

Holt. This scene would disgrace a lynch trial. 

Judge. Sit down ! I fine you ten dollars, 

Holt. You'll have to charge it then. 

Rob. Take the oath Miss Smalley. [oath administered'] 

Holt. What is your name ? 

Cori. Coriander Lucretia Smalley; I run Ranch No. 10; am 
a sour old maid, and I'm glad of it. 

Holt. Do you know the prisoner at the Bar? 

Cori. Where's the Bar? I don't see any Bar. 

Judge. Not a drinking Bar, woman ! a Bar of Justice. 

Cori. Where's the Justice? 

Judge. I'm the Justice. 

Cori. Where's your Bar? 

Judge, (furious) I tell you I hav'nt any Bar, woman ! 



Scene IV. ] Ranch No. 10. 41 

CoRi. Ipomts to his nose] You ought to get that sign painted 
out then. 

Judge. I fine you ten dollars ! 

CoRi. It's worth twenty. 

Holt. Do you know the prisoner ? 

CoRi. Yes. 

Holt. Tell the jury what you know about the case in ques- 
tion. 

CoRi. (weakening a little) I — I — I was startled from my 
kitchen about nine o'clock, where I was making stew for break- 
fast, (turns to Neely) wasn't it stew Neely? 

Neely. No ma-am it was tripe. 

Judge. Never mind the tripe. 

CORi. I went out on the porch, I saw two people on the 
ground, I went down to them, and I — I — I knew he didn't do it 
(bursts into tears.) 

Holt. No tears please, go on. 

Judge. Hold on ! does 'em good; let her cry. 

Holt. Will your Honor inform me if this is a pool room or a 
Court of Justice '? 

Judge. You'd better be careful, sir. 

Holt. I'll be careful, go on ]\Iiss sraalley, whom did you find 
the persons on the ground to be ? 

CoRT. Silver Bud and Al McClelland; she was dead and he 
was bending over her. 

Holt. Did you hear any quarrel previous to hearing the shot 
tired ? 

CoRi. Yes, they — they — were having loud words. 

Holt. Was the gun near by ? 

CORi. Yes — one^:— one barrel was empty, some of the men 
blew into it, smoke came out. 

Holt. What do you know of the relations existing between 
the deceased and McClelland ? 

Judge. Hold on ! I may be an old crank, but I've got a wife 
and daughter myself, and I'd shoot any man who would ask 
them such a question; she need not answer if she don't want to" 
in spite of all the authorities from Blackstone to Chicago. 

Holt. That's sufficient, her silence is more eloquent to the 
jury than her speech; stand down Miss Smalley. 

Rob. Hold on I how long have you known the accused :' 



42 Ranch No. 10. [Act III. 

CoRi. Since he was a ten-pound calf of a baby; he and his 
brother Tom. 

Rob. His character ? 

CoRi. A generous big hearted donkey. 

Judge. But he blew up your premises, and destroyed your 
home. 

CoRi. He did it to save himself from a lot of sneaking cow- 
punchers; as for the Ranch, it was tolerably well insured. 

Judge. Didn't lose much, hey? 

CoRi. There's a heap of snow on the ground, and the ther- 
mometer away below zero when one of the Smalley family 
misses the train. 

Rob. Be serious, is he a man likely to have murdered a poor 
girl who loved him ? 

CORi. He would rather have put the muzzle of that gun un- 
der his chin and blown his own head off, than have harmed a 
finger nail of that poor dead Indian. 

Tom. Thanks ma-am, here's looking towards you. 

Rob. {Takes up a double-barrel shot, yun and hands it to her.'\ 
Will you be good enough to look at this; can you identify it ? 

CORi. Yes, it belonged to McClelland; we found it on the 
ground near the body. 

Rob. Thanks ma-am, stand down. 

Holt. Neely Barrett. 

Rob. Neely Barrett ! 

Neely. \_gets info box'\ Oh, I hear you I do you expect me to 
fly like a Crow or a Sea-gull ? (Bobbins hohU out Bible) Now 
Doctor dear I'll take my oath, I can't swear. 

Judge. Why not, why not ? 

Neely. Because I'm another Quaker. 

Rob. Take the book like a good girl, (slie fakes it. Oath ad- 
minstered) Judge, dear. 

Judge. Kiss the book and swear. 

Neely. All right, I'll kiss the book, but I wont swear. [She 
kisses it.] 

Holt. What is your name ? 

Neely. (not noticing him) It's the first time I ever heard of 
swearing and kissing going together. 

Holt. Your name, I say I 

Neely. You don't say, Miss Barrett. 



Scene IV. ] Ranch No. 10. 43 

Holt. Your full name ! 

Neely, I was never full in my life, ye blaguard ! 

Holt.. Both your names? 

Neely. It's Neely Barrett now; when I get married it will 
be something else. 

Judge. Heaven help the man ! 

Neely. AVho knows but it might be your Honor there ! 

Judge. I fine you ten dollars. 

Neely.^ Have you change for a twenty ? 

Judge. This is too much even for a Cheyenne jury to stand; 
nov: sfoj) and go on. 

Holt. Miss Barrett, do you know the prisoner, Al McClelland? 

Neely. I do; I'd like to kiss him, poor fellow. 

Tom. Here's looking towards you, Miss. 

Holt. Tell the jury everything you know regarding the mur- 
der of Silver Bud. 

Neely. Well, then after leaving the kitchen and hearing the 
gun go off, I came out; Silver Bud poor little thing — she and I 
used to sleep in the one bed — when I came out, there was the 
poor little toad lying on the ground, and Mr. Al there, a crying 
and a praying and praying; oh ! it was as good as a mass to 
hear him. 

Holt. Where was the gun ? 

Neely. Some of the men had it, blowing into the little key- 
hole to see if it was shot off. 

Holt. Was it empty or full ? 

Neely. (Hesitating) Well — well, I — one of the triggers was 
empty, and the other was full. 

Holt. Well? 

Neely. Then they took poor Al away to the constable ,as if 
he had been a buffalo, and then (weeps) I took poor little Bud 
in my arms, wid her purty brown face close up to me, and I 
said. Bud ye poor little gossom, are ye dead; but not a whisper 
did she speak, and that's the last word I ever heard from her 
lips. 

Holt. That will do. 
Rob. Stop ! Miss Barrett. 

Neely. I will Doctor dear, make me say something good 
about him. 
Rob. How long have you known the prisoner ? 



44 Ranch No. 10. [Act III. 

Neely. (hesitatcfi) Well, well, in— in three years more, I'll 
have known him four years. 

Rob. Is his character good ? 

Neely. Yes sir, better than good, it's the boss. 

Rob. One word more, do you think the disappearance of 
your young mistress. Miss Smalley, is to be attributed to him ? 

Neely. No sir; they would both of them died to save the 
other. There ! that's my opinion of him, and now not another 
bit of kissing and swearing do you get from between my lips. 

\_goes to seat.] 

Holt. Annie Smalley. [Boh. whispTs to Holt.] Strange, if 
she had nothing to tell against her lover, why is she not here ? 

Rob. (aside to Tom) Man if you have any word to explain 
away this mystery, say it now. 

Tom. (after a struggle) I have nothing to say, pardner. 

Joe. But I have a got ! 

Holt. Get in the box. 

Joe. I know dat Miss Smalley went to dat Corrall before I 
call up people in Ranch No. 10; we break open gate, no one in- 
side, door of shed locked; den door broke open. 

Holt. What did you find ? 

Joe. Only nudder boy, he say, Phil from Omaha, his budder. 

Rob. This is entirely irrelevant, we are wasting time. 

Holt. I wish to show that the prisoner was instrumental in 
removing this dangerous witness. 

Judge. Allowed, go on. 

Holt. What became of Annie Smallej^ ? 

Joe. She killed by dem two budders and buried somewhere 
in dat Corrall, den he blow up dat Ranch to hide his crime, and 
say he do it to save him from de lynch, bah ! lie ! hate ! hiss ! 
[ Tom makes a spring for him. Boh holds him. 

Tom. Can that thar nasty greaser live ? 

Rob. Hush, man, be patient ! 

CoRi. Let Kebook go on, I begin to see it all now — I have 
been blind. 

Tom. Oh, Miss Smalley ! how kin you ? (aside) Friend after 
friend is leaving me, and I dare not speak a word. 

CoRi. She went in there, I am sure now has never been seen 
since. 

Rob. She may have perished in the flames. 



Scene IV. ] Ranch No. 10. 45 

CoRi. No, she was not in the Ranch when it was burnt. [ Tom 
seizes Bobbins and drags him down centre. 

Tom. {in frenzy) Robbins, man ! I must tell all or I shall go 
clean mad. 

Rob. Speak out then, Al McClelland ! 

To:m. Robbins — I — I — I am not — 

Rob. What? 

Tom. {with a mighty effort) I 1 am, not guilty, that's all. 

[they go itp] Judge, jury, enemies, /V/e>i(7«, if I have one hyar, 
I stand hyar a forsaken creature accused of awful crimes; proof 
after proofs are flung against me; in return, I kin only hit back 
by saying I am innocent. 

Judge. I have heard a hundred murderers say the same. 

Tom. True; I am lost unless she should come back, (aside) It 
is too late to speak now, if I would. Judge she must come, she 
i s not dead. 

Enter Annie veiled. 

Joe. Yes she is dead. 

Tom. Thank heaven ! (pulls off veil) she — is — not — dead. [She 
runs into Tom's arms; Neely and Cori. embrace her. He takes her 
dovm) Annie, sweet little yankee violet, have you come a last! 

Annie, (sobbing) Yes, Tom. 

Holt. I protest ! this endearing scene is simply introduced 
to melt the jury. 

Judge. Shut up ! you are a married man yourself perhaps, 
if you aint, I'd advise you to catch on at once. This Court will 
now adjourn for five consecutive minutes, [they go off] 

Annie. Listen : from this time forth you are to be Al Mc- 
Clelland in reality, just as you now assume the name. 

Tom. Al ? — Speak out Annie, what of my brother ? 

Annie. Dead ! (he choker) O, don't, I am weak you must be 
strong. 

Annie. Your friend. Parson Jim Scripture from Idaho, 
joined me in the search for Al, who had been seen in the vicin- 
ity of your claim; when we reached the mountains a great storm 
was in progress, we found Al dying with hunger and cold: — 
his last words were love for you; tell Tom said he, that when I 
am dead, both of us must live again in him, I want him to do 
by you and love you as I would have done; and you Annie do 
the same by him; in death we will not be parted, said he, I will 



46 Ranch No. 10. [Act III. 

be with you, it don't matter which of us may claim you; then 
the darkness came and the cruel cutting blizzard; when the light 
again appeared, my husband lay frozen in my arms. 

Tom. Your husband? 

Annie. Wife and widow. 

Tom. Hold up your head Annie, let us be worthy of the brave 
man who died down thar in Colorado, [they go vp] 

Judge. Now then, if your little family affairs are starched 
and ironed, we will begin the more serious work of the day. 
[ii'ifl) dignitij] Attention ! order ! silence ! I mean it this time. 

Holt. Annie Smalley. 

Annie, {gently) Here, sir. [goes in box, is sivorn] 

Holt. Do you know the prisoner at the Bar ? 

Annie. Yes sir. 

Holt. A conscientious witness — were you at Ranch 10 on 
the night of Silver Bud's murder? 

Annie. Yes sir. 

Holt. A most conscientious witness — be kind enough to 
throw aside all personal feeling and tell the jury all you know 
regarding the murder. 

Annie. There was the report of a gun, we rushed from the 
house; Silver Bud lay dead; McClelland was leaning over the 
body, his hands bloody, his gun discharged. 

Holt. Here's evidence enough to hang a saint. 

Rob. Confine yourself to the witness, and no side speeches to 
the jury. 

Holt. My case is strong enough without doing so — go on 
Miss Smalley, you are a most conscientious witness; what 
more ? 

Annie. Every appearance of guilt, and yet he is as innocent 
as I am. 

Holt. What do you mean ? 

Tom. (inimitating hint) Pardner, she means she is a most con- 
scientious witness. 

Holt. You are speaking as lover, not as a witness. 

Annie. No sir, I am speaking to you as a truthful woman, 
who is confident in the right, and who is here to speak her con- 
victions. 

Holt. This is mere clap trap, and woman's nonsense. 

Tom. Pardner, she is a most conscientious witness. 



Scene lA^. ] Ranch No. 10. 47 

Holt. I demand that you proceed I 

Judge, Hold on let me get in a word; the lady has said quite 
enough in the interest of justice; Miss Smalley, if you don't 
want to give irrelevant evidence in my court against the man 
you love, you shant be compelled to do it, no sir ree ! not if it 
breaks the bank. Robbins, I am sorry to send the case to the 
jury in this shape, but I must if you have no one to summon 
for the defense. 

Rob. One moment sir, we are ready for the defense. Judge, 
it may not be in accordance with law or precedent, but like a 
good fellow, have to-day shown yourself superior to both; take 
this book and swear me, and let me tell my story, and this 
brave girl's story to these men who have it on their lips to say 
guilty of murder in the tirst degree. 

Holt. I suppose it's no use for me to offer an objection. 

Judge. Not a bit — Robbins I'm your man though I may be 
hung myself for this days work. [Oafh tulmi}i.'<tere<.l'] 

Rob. For a very limited time. Miss Annie Smalley has been 
the guest of a quiet family in Cheyenne; to whose care, at her 
request I confided her, with what object you shall yourselves 
judge. I delayed the following explanation until her arrival, 
and until the policy of the prosecution was fully defined; now I 
am ready to speak. On the night of the murder of Silver Bud. 
this agonized woman stood over the body, looked into the gen- 
tle face and made up her mind that no such man as Al ]\rcClel- 
land ever put out that little light; yet there was all the evidence 
and nothing but her loving trust in his manhood to cling to. 

The remains were buried near the Ranch, and Al ^McOlelland 
held for the crime; now see what followed: acting upon her sub- 
tile suggestion, I last night disentered that body and made an 
examination of the same. Our little heroine there, holding the 
fiickering lantern, her face averted, her limbs trembling, but at 
every throb of her brave heart whispering, goon; I proceeded 
to explore the wound; I found the entrance on the right side, 
the missile having passed across the chest, struck a rib near the 
heart and there lost its power; the projectile remaining fixed in 
the rib. Now hear, if ever you heard in your lives, Al 3IcClel- 
land did not murder that woman ! how do I know '? Listen, the 
cause of her death was not a charge of shot, but a bullet I and 
they don't fire bullets out of d(Hil)le barrel shot guns. [./'" 



48 Ranch No. 10. [Act III. 

woveii dlenHy to door] Hold on Joe, don't go away appearing 
slighted; come here and let me see the whites of your eye. 

Joe. (comes dou-n) What do you a want of me ? Hiss ! 

Rob. I want to tell a you a little stolly— hiss ! I tried to 
draw the bullet from the rib, but the bone was so firmly fixed 
aboui; the metal, that it was immovable; now see what I did: 
I took my little saw, and I cut that little rib out of that little 
body; the rib was Silver Bud's, and the projectile fastened in it 
was a genuine red bullet, the personal property of Joseph Ke- 
book, the man who killed her first, and then traduced her good 
name ! [Jwlds vp bidlet and rib] See the rib and the bullet ! 
Examine it gentleman, and see how it compares with the other 
[ghes it to Jury.] 

Judge. Miss Smalley, is this evidence in accordance with the 
truth ? 

Annie. In every particular. 

Tom. He owned the same to me in the Corrall at Ranch 10 . 

Rob. From that mad confession we got our first clue. 

Judge. Do you wish to sum up for the prosecution, Mr Holt? 
{Holt rises, takes his bag and walks deliberately out of the door.] 
Consult the authorities. The jury will now retire and not re- 
turn until they have agreed upon a verdict; that is the only 
charge I have to give you. 

Foreman. We have agreed your honor. 

Judge. Do you find the prisoner at the bar guilty or not 
guilty. 

Foreman. Not guilty. 

Judge. Discharge Mr. McClelland, and arrest Kebook on a 
bench warrant. {Jury all go off and wait for Joe.) 

Rob. Here Joe, you are invited to assimulate with yonder 
jovial assembly; leave your gun. 

Joe. {goes to door) I have a Jive without a dam fear, I will 
a die without a dam fear, with a my a boots on I 

Judge. From present appearances. I think you will, unless 
you pull 'em off" inside of five minutes. 

Joe. Me no fear dem, no fear you; damn ! hate ! hiss ! Exit. 

Judge. I am afraid the law majestic will never get a whack 
at Mr. Joe Kebook. 

CORi. Al McClelland in reward for your suffering and manly 
straight backedness, I'm going to give that girl into your keep- , 



Scene IV.] Ranch No. 10. 49 

ing for life; Judge make 'em man and wife on the spot, and I 
will give you a hundred dollars. 

Tom. Do you hear — his last words, do you accept? 

Annie. In the name of his love, I do. 

ToxM. The hand of Fate ! 

Annie. No, the hand of Heaven. 

Tom. As he would have done by you, so I will do, when it is 
for your good, sis. 

Judge. [cZoion] McClelland, I came here expecting to sen- 
tence you to death; the law decides to punish you in another 
way: imprisonment for life; your jailer will now take you in 
charge. Madame do you approve the sentence? 

CoRi. That's a matter of opinion. 

Rob. Miss Coriander, I will never have a better impulse than 
that which now makes my heart jump; I am fifty, you ten 
years my junior; make me your prisoner and let us all go to 
jail together. 

CoBi. (holdsi ovt hand) That's not a matter of opinion. 

Judge, Is Mr. Albert McClelland ready for the ceremony, 
and will 

Tom. {^endprbj) Stop ! pardner, Al McClelland will never be 
ready. 

Rob. What ! 

CoRi. How dare you ? 

Tom. {most tenderly^ Bear with me please, a moment, until 
I kin git the hold of my own speech — such a marriage would 
not be lawful, and for all time to come, thar must be only flow- 
ers and heaven's sun for this tired one hyar. {Annie clings io Jtim . 

CoEi. Speak ! man. 

Tom. Thar were created two brothers, so exact alike in face 
and form that when thar came a deal for life and death between 
the two, thar war only one who could say out of her swelling- 
heart, this hyar is the man I love and this, his brother. 

One of these twins, Al, war accused of an awful crime; his 
brother Tom jumped between him and sartin death; Al fled and 
died on the wild peaks of Colorado seeking his brother; Tom 
stayed, war tried for the murder, war saved by heaven and this 
yhar dear girl. 

CoRi. [crosses c] You are ! 

Tom. a rough fellar who loves her jist as strong as did A I 



50 Ranch No. 10. [Act III. 

McClelland, but who will let the poor tired one rest until per- 
haps, some day her smile may come back, and her eyes may 
brighten up into mine, and then I'll be iron sure that Al's word 
has become her wish and she'll be the wife of Tom McClelland 
from Colorado. 



Curtain. 



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